Page 5 of Love's Cure

“Yes. Lately, I’ve been thinking about finding love and having a family. Maybe taking a break is what I need.”

“What are you thinking?” asked GG.

“Maybe I’ll get away in the spring. Or better yet, take a couple of days off to visit my sister in Florida.”

“You work very hard. A break might be just what you need. With Taylor here for a couple of weeks, perhaps she could help you out.”

The tension left Crystal’s shoulders like a bird taking wing. GG always made her feel better. She laughed for the pure pleasure of it. “If I decide to take time off, I’ll tell Taylor you said she’d take over for me.”

GG laughed. “You’d still have to ask her nicely. But knowing Taylor, I’d say she’d be glad to do it.”

“Even if I don’t take the time off now, I love knowing I could probably make it happen. Thanks.” Crystal finished her drink and leaned back against the couch. “Now, tell me, how are you feeling?”

“Besides old?” GG chuckled. “I’m doing quite well. Living here has been a wise choice for me. I was no longer able to maintain the inn the way I wanted, and heaven knows, operating it was getting way too hard for me.”

“I’m glad you’re here and healthy. You mean so much to me and many others. I’ve always been grateful for the help you’ve given Misty and me.”

“How is your darling sister?” GG asked.

Crystal smiled with a mother’s pride. “Her second graders love her, and she seems happy. I haven’t heard much about her boyfriend, and I suspect that relationship might be over.”

“It takes a while for some people to find the right man. I hope you fine one soon.”

“Me, too. I’ve been feeling down lately, and Whitney told me love might be a cure.”

GG chuckled. “She’s happy with Nick and the baby. She wants everyone to find love.”

“At this point, I might be willing to give it a try.”

CHAPTER THREE

After Crystal returnedto her apartment, she decided to go for a run. Or, in her case, a brisk walk. It was one thing to work in the Café all day, standing on her feet. But she needed true exercise, getting her body to move all parts. The Café presented another problem too. Working with delicious food all day meant adding a pound or two that needed to be worked off. Crystal was naturally thin but knew the warning of a few extra pounds.

In running shorts and a tank top, she moved swiftly through town. Though she waved to many people, she kept on walking. In her job, she knew most locals because sooner or later they ended up in the Café.

Curious about Emmett Chambers and wondering if he was going to accept Dr. Johnson’s practice, she headed to his office. Situated on the banks of the Pemigewasset River, locally known as “The Pemi,” the Cape Cod house and nearby office building were well-known to all. Crystal had never been inside Dr. Johnson’s house, but she knew his office well. Working in a kitchen could be dangerous, and she’d had cuts stitched or taken a kitchen staff member there to be checked out.

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